§ 1266-d. Long Island rail road commuter's council. 1. There is hereby
created the Long Island rail road commuter's council, to study,
investigate, monitor and make recommendations with respect to the
maintenance and operation of the Long Island rail road. Such council
shall study and investigate all aspects of the day to day operations of
such railroad, monitor its performance and recommend changes to improve
the efficiency of the operation thereof. Such council shall study and
make recommendations in regard to improving bicycle and pedestrian
access at bridges, stations and other facilities operated by the Long
Island Railroad and submit such recommendations to the metropolitan
transportation authority on or before June first, two thousand
twenty-two and every five years thereafter.

2. Such council shall consist of thirteen members who shall be
commuters who regularly use the transportation services of such
railroad, and who shall be residents of Nassau, Suffolk, Queens or
Brooklyn county. Members shall be appointed by the governor upon the
recommendation of the county executive of each such county, provided,
however, that such members shall be chosen from a list of ten names
submitted by each such county executive and provided further however
that no more than six members of such council shall be residents of
either such county. Provided, however, that one member shall be
appointed on the recommendation of the borough president of Queens and
one member shall be appointed on the recommendation of the borough
president of Brooklyn. Provided, however, that one member shall be
appointed who has a demonstrated expertise or interest in the promotion
and development of improved bicycle and pedestrian access at bridges,
stations and other facilities operated by the authority and its
affiliates and subsidiaries. Vacancies occurring in the membership of
the council shall be filled in the same manner as original appointments,
provided, however, that such vacancy shall be filled from a list of
three names submitted by each such county executive.

3. The members of the council shall receive no compensation for their
services but shall be reimbursed for their expenses actually and
necessarily incurred in the performance of their duties hereunder.

4. The council may request and shall receive from any department,
division, board, bureau, commission, agency, public authority of the
state or any political subdivision thereof such assistance and data as
will enable it properly to carry out its activities hereunder and
effectuate the purposes set forth herein.